London Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 2RF
10 reasons to choose Westbrook Hay Prep School
Top line
Westbrook Hay Prep School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 85. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Hemel Hempstead and one of the 3 best primary schools for 2 miles.
School fundamentals
Westbrook Hay Prep School is an independent prep day school for boys and girls (60%/40%) between the ages of 3 and 11 years. It is a Christian school, open to all faiths and none. The school has an academically selective admissions policy from Year 3. It is a standalone prep school with a senior division, and is a member of the Mill Hill Education Group. Westbrook Hay Prep School fees range from £5,478 (Rec) to £7,795 per term (2025/26). Fees include VAT and lunches.
Average class size
Westbrook Hay Prep School has two classes per year to Year 2, three from Year 3, and an average class size of 18 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Westbrook Hay Prep School leavers are one of 15-20 mainly independent day schools, though 20% leave for a grammar school. 60%-70% of pupils leave after Year 6, including almost all girls. Berkhamsted School is the most popular destination, accounting for about 25% of all leavers. St Columba’s and Aldenham account for 11%-12% each, and St Albans and Abbot’s Hill take 12% between them. 20%-30% win scholarships and awards. With the extension of provision to GCSEs (announced 2023) and the reorganisation of its senior division, (from Years 7 to 11), Westbrook Hay Seniors is now an attractive option for Year 6 leavers.
The Westbrook Hay Prep School curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum with some additions and variations. It also includes critical thinking, PSHE, French, Spanish. School broadens the curriculum with ‘Activities’ for one afternoon per week from Year 3. The school offers each child a handful of extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers and residential trips from Year 5.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, music and languages throughout, for DT and computing from Year 1, for maths and English from Year 4, and for most subjects from Year 5.
Sport at Westbrook Hay Prep School
Four sessions of sport per week in addition to matches. School offers over 15 different sports through the year, through both the curriculum and extra-curriculum. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in basketball, football.
The Arts at Westbrook Hay Prep School
Art and music are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. Drama is part of the co-curriculum. All pupils learn an instrument in class and about one third take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Choir, orchestra and one or two instrument ensembles. The school offers each pupil over 5 different extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.30am to 5.50pm. Minibus service.
Find another school near Westbrook Hay Prep School
Lockers Park School (2.9 miles); Berkhamsted Preparatory & Pre-Prep School (2.9 miles); Abbot’s Hill Prep School (3.9 miles).
Pixies Hill Primary School (1.5 miles); Boxmoor Primary School (1.7 miles); South Hill Primary School (2.1 miles).
Berkhamsted School (2.7 miles); Abbot’s Hill School, Baird House (3.9 miles); Tring Park School for the Performing Arts (7.9 miles).
The Hemel Hempstead School (2.1 miles); John F Kennedy Catholic School (2.4 miles); Ashlyns School (2.5 miles).